Private Dining at Mauna Kea Resort

Best places for Valentine’s Day Dinner on the Big Island

/ / / Hawaii, Things to do, Vacation Rentals /

One of the definitions of aloha is love — which makes the Aloha State, i.e., Hawaii, a perfect place to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Of course, there are many special ways to celebrate this holiday on the island, but if you want an unforgettable romantic dinner, here are some ideas. Napua Napua is the best-kept secret…

Visiting the Big Island of Hawaii in Winter

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Knowing when to visit the Big Island of Hawaii is essential when planning your Big Island trip or vacation. There is really no wrong time to visit the Big Island – its incredibly wide diversity and geography suit almost any type of traveler. However, winter brings opportunities to see and do things that you may…

Happy New Year!

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As the sun sets on another year, we realize that life is short. That is why dream big and make the most of 2023! Each year is a gift that holds hope for new adventures. Life itself is an adventure that is full of beautiful destinations. Hawaii is one of them, and we are so…

Christmas Tree and Surfboard in the snow

Merry Christmas to Our Ohana!

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Aloha Friends! You have probably heard the word Ohana before. Ohana in Hawaiian means family, but in a much more inclusive sense. You don’t have to be a family member to be accepted into someone’s Ohana. The word is imbued with loyalty, support, compassion, and love. It is a great honor to be a part…

Mauna Loa Eruption

Mauna Loa Eruption

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“This is a wonderful eruption. … This is more than a spectacle; to many people of Hawaii, this is a sacred event.” As you probably heard, Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano in the world located on the Big Island of Hawaii, began erupting late Sunday night. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported…

Taro fields in Hawaii

Understanding Aloha Aina

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What is Aloha Aina? Aloha “Aina in Hawaiian means “love of the land” and is central to Native Hawaiian thought and culture. Aloha ʻāina brings a perspective that permeates many aspects of life. Its ecological and cultural orientations are founded upon a sense of being connected to all living things. This mutuality between all things…

How to Save Money on Your Hawaiian Vacation

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Hawaii can be the vacation destination of a lifetime. Yet airfare, tour expenses, inter-island travel costs, and food and lodging costs may financially put a trip to the Aloha State out of reach, especially during inflation. However, with careful planning and money-saving tips, you can save hundreds of dollars per person, and your dream vacation…

How to Cope with Shorter Days and Lack of Sunlight

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If you live on the mainland and your mood, sleep quality, and energy levels dip along with the temperature, you are not alone. Many people feel extra cranky and sluggish around this time of the year. Our days become shorter and darker when the Earth’s northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun. This lack…

Cup of Kona coffee and roasted coffee beans

All About Kona Coffee and Why You Should Try It

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Even if you have never been to Kona, chances are you have heard about Kona Coffee. Being cultivated for over 200 years, Kona coffee became a world-famous coffee variety recognized for its rich, fresh, and mild taste. The island’s fertile, volcanic soil and mountain slopes proved an ideal climate for coffee growing. At its peak,…

Waiulaula A102 Kitchen Vacation Rental

Top 5 for the Chef

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The benefits of choosing a vacation rental over a hotel when planning your next trip are numerous – more space, more privacy, more comfort, better price, and the list goes on. But the best part is having your own kitchen! You want to enjoy everything on vacation, and food is at the top of the…

Waimea Town Farmers' Market

Top 5 Big Island’s Farmers’ Markets

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Big Island is almost certainly considered the epicenter of Hawaiian produce and farmers’ markets. It may have something to do with its sheer land mass and climate zone diversity. Our island is almost four times larger than any other Hawaiian Island and has 11 of the 13 world climate zones. This provides perfect conditions for…

Tropical fish

Top 5 Snorkeling Spots on the Big Island

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None of the Hawaiian Islands have the sheer number of fantastic snorkeling spots that we have here, on the Big Island. The Big Island has a massive coastline that is so long that it would take weeks to walk it all. This means more snorkeling than you could do in many years’ time. Summer and…

Top 5 For the Beach Bum

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Summer and early fall are the best times to enjoy the beaches of Hawaii. The waters are calmer, the weather is perfect, and the beaches are not crowded. So if you are not a fan of big waves and like to relax, swim, snorkel, or just frolic in the sun, that is the best time…

Pololu Valley Lookout

Road Trip: Exploring North Kohala

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Hawai’i Island is a great place to explore cruising by car. You don’t have to go too far to find something unique and completely different from your home base! Traveling north up the coast from the Kohala Coast resorts, you watch the terrain change from lava landscape to dry hills that grow gradually greener the…

Puako petroglyphs

The Mystery of Hawaiian Petroglyphs and Where to See Them

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Petroglyphs, or K’i’i pōhaku in Hawaiian, are found scattered throughout the island chain. However, the largest, most concentrated fields of these ancient rock carvings are found here on Hawai’i Island. Smooth, pahoehoe lava rock provided an ideal “canvas” for creating k’i’i pōhaku over the massive lava flows, cliff faces, and the soft interiors of lava…

Big Island Fireworks

Celebrating Independence Day on the Big Island: Where to See Fireworks and Have Fun

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Life on the Big Island is returning to normal, and it is exciting to see everyone’s favorite events and celebrations being announced once again! In particular, the 4th of July fireworks and parades are coming back this year. So, if you happen to be on the Big Island this Independence Day, here are some great…

Celebrating Father’s Day on the Big Island: Things to Do

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Are you visiting Hawaii for Father’s Day? There are so many fun things to do to celebrate the father figure in your life. Sometimes, the best gifts are exciting and memorable experiences rather than physical ones. If you plan to visit the Big Island in June, here are all the fun ways to spend Father’s…

Great Picnic Spots on the Kohala Coast

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A picnic can add a fun diversion to your vacation on the Big Island. With Memorial Day coming up, we decided to put together this blog post featuring the best picnic spots on the Kohala Coast. If you are staying in one of the Kohala Coast Resorts on the Big Island, you won’t have to…

Road to Hawaii Volcano National Park

Road Trip: Going to Volcano

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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a must on any Big Island itinerary and makes for a great day trip. The volcanoes in Hawaii are a rare treat to explore as the landscape is ever-changing and is home to seven of the world’s thirteen climates. You will pass through a lush rain forest known for precipitation…

Tropical fruit salad

The Best Places for Mother’s Day Brunch on the Big Island

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Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and if you are planning to be on the island with the mothers in your life, you are probably wondering how to celebrate it. Of course, a traditional Mother’s Day brunch is always a good option, and what can be a better place to do it than in…

Hula performance at the Merrie Monarch Festival

Celebration of Hula and Hawaiian Culture

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Hula is probably the most quintessential form of Hawaiian art. You may have seen it performed alongside the Samoan fire dance, Tahitian otea, and Maori haka, particularly in luau shows in Hawaii. But hula should not be confused with those traditions from other lands. Hula is distinctively Hawaiian, and it is much more than a…

The Best Classes to Take on the Big Island

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Vacations are not only an essential part of self-care. They are a gift of time that you can use to do something you normally wouldn’t or have no time to do. Besides the usual tourist activities like beaches and sightseeing, the Big Island offers many classes and lessons that can make your vacation more enjoyable….

Kawaihae Harbor

Explore Kawaihae and Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site

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The Big Island offers a wealth of unique experiences and places to see not available anywhere else. Seeing the volcano, black sand beach, or the sunset from the Mauna Kea summit is on many visitors’ list of activities; however, they can take a lot of time, driving, and preparation, leaving you tired and exhausted at…

Hawaii airport

State of Hawaii Safe Travels Program to End March 25

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If you have been postponing your Hawaiian vacation due to travel restrictions, now is the time to change your mind. We are very excited to announce that the state’s Safe Travels program for domestic travelers will end on March 25, 2022. That means that starting March 26, travelers to Hawaii will no longer have to…

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